Public Hearings

City Planning holds public hearings to consider proposed developments. The hearings offer opportunities for members of the public to share feedback on proposed projects, and the decision maker considers this feedback before issuing a formal recommendation. Typically, hearings include a presentation by the assigned planner, followed by opportunities for both the applicant and members of the public to speak. The form of public hearings ranges from citizen-led commission meetings to public forums facilitated by the Department.

Notice to Land Use Industry Professionals

If you are compensated to interact with the Department of Planning, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. Any individual may qualify as a lobbyist, regardless of occupation, education, training, or professional title. A lobbyist may hold a position that includes but is not limited to attorney, CEO, consultant, architect, engineer, government liaison, business owner, permit applicant, urban planner, expediter, land developer, various real estate specialists, and others.

More information is available on the Ethics Commission’s lobbying page and Influencing Land Use Decisions brochure. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission at (213) 978-1960 or ethics.commission@lacity.org.

Commission Public Hearings and Board Meetings
 

Click below to view agendas for upcoming meetings and public hearing information.

Meetings and Agendas
Early Notification System
 

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Letters of Determination (LOD)
 

Sign up to receive a copy of the Letter of Determination (LOD) for any prospective project that has filed an application for the Department's formal review. LODs state City Planning's specific recommendations for project-related approvals.

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Decision Makers

The decision makers below review and advise on planning applications in Los Angeles.

The Advisory Agency considers application requests that involve the subdivision of land under the California Subdivision Map Act. These applications include condominiums, private street applications, and requests for tract maps and parcel maps.

The Director of Planning, or their designee, reviews planning applications requesting Density Bonus or Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) incentives, as well as projects that are subject to Specific Plan Project Permit Compliance or Site Plan Review.

The Area Planning Commissions represent seven regions of the City (North Valley, South Valley, West Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, and Harbor). Each APC hears cases from its assigned geography, including the appeals of certain Advisory Agency, Director, or Zoning Administrator decisions and smaller-scale General Plan Amendment and Zone Change requests.

The Cultural Heritage Commission oversees the designation and protection of local landmarks. Additionally, the commission reviews proposed project work that would affect any of the City’s existing Historic-Cultural Monuments.

The City Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on project-related legislative land use applications, such as General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, and Height District Changes. The CPC also makes recommendations on proposed land use policies that require Mayoral and City Council approval and adopts policy guidelines for City Planning.

The Zoning Administrator considers quasi-judicial land use applications, such as Conditional Use permits, Zone Variances, Zoning Administrator Adjustments, and Zoning Administrator Determinations.

Hearing Officers and Boards

In addition to formal decision makers, various boards and hearing officers may conduct public hearings for land-use-related items. These boards are comprised of local residents or, in the case of hearing officers, Department staff, who are entrusted with reviewing, recommending, or approving certain planning entitlements.

Design Review Boards consist of members appointed from the neighborhood. They review applications to ensure compliance with design standards and guidelines of Specific Plans. DRBs make recommendations to the Director of Planning, or their designee, who then issues a decision on a planning application.

Hearing Officers conduct hearings on behalf of the City Planning Commission, Area Planning Commission, or the Director of Planning. These hearings collect public testimony on development applications or pending planning policies that will inform future land use recommendations and decisions.

Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) Boards are composed of residents with knowledge of and interest in the culture, history, and architecture of the historic district in which they reside. While not decision makers, they review planning applications for exterior work, including landscaping, alterations, additions, and new construction within the specified area.